A Guide to Western History

The history of the Western world is a complex and fascinating one. It spans thousands of years, from the rise of ancient kingdoms to the global empires of today. Along the way, we have witnessed numerous wars, revolutions and upheavals — including those of the French Revolution and World War I, as well as the Great Schism in the Catholic Church – that have left their mark on both society and culture.

The West is also defined by its culture and values, which have influenced many other societies. From the Renaissance to modern times, a number of intellectual and cultural movements have spread throughout the globe, shaped by Western ideas and ideals. Western philosophy, for example, focuses on questions of reality and existence. It teaches us to question our beliefs and understand that knowledge is always limited.

In addition to philosophy, the West has been influenced by science and religion. Both of these disciplines help us to gain a better understanding of our place in the universe. Science reveals that the world is changing constantly, while religion provides a spiritual connection to the past, present and future.

With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, the West grew in power. Industrialization produced machines that revolutionized warfare, and the Western military dominated the world during the 19th century as it developed new weapons like machine guns and barbed wire. The era also saw massive expansion of Western trade networks and Christian missionaries, and the growth of global empires that ruled over most of the world.

At the same time, European philosophies such as Marxism and liberalism gained momentum, challenging the dominance of the Western military-industrial complex. Despite this conflict, the Western lands became the main promoters of liberal and democratic principles, which were adopted by other parts of the world as the basis for their own development.

Western art is characterized by its emphasis on religious and moral themes, as well as its dramatic use of light and color. The period of baroque architecture that flourished in the 17th century was a time of great social upheaval, as many of Europe’s monarchies struggled for control and supremacy.

The aristocratic system of ruling Europe was replaced in the 19th century with a more democratic model, and nationalism and suffrage increased in popularity. The political changes in Europe were influenced by the French and Russian revolutions, as well as world wars that left their mark on society and culture.

In recent years, some historians have moved away from the idea of the frontier — that special meeting point between civilization and savagery described by Frederick Jackson Turner — to recognize that many Western cultures have been in contact with each other for centuries. These Western interactions have shaped our shared history, and they continue to shape the world today. Historians examine these interactions by studying a wide range of topics, from the Little Big Horn battle site to Route 66. Contributors in this volume demonstrate the wide scope of Western public history and explore issues such as gender, Native Americans, regionalism and twentieth-century western culture.